Visitors to the Walsall Illuminations will need a head for heights and a waterproof this year as its main attraction is a 15ft high log flume ride.

The 130ft-long Jungle River has been moved into place at the Arboretum in preparation for the annual lights show which gets under way on Friday. It has taken 10 staff a total of three days to move the 150 tonne structure, the largest in the UK, into position with a special 100 tonne crane imported from Austria to help assemble the ride.

Thousands of visitors are expected to brave the cold weather to have a go on the water ride, and among them is the council’s leisure chief, Councillor Louise Harrison.

She said: “It’s certainly an impressive structure and I’m really looking forward to going on it myself. We’re always looking for new things to make the event even more exciting and this is going to be a real hit with the public I’m sure.”

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Visitors to the Walsall Illuminations will need a head for heights and a waterproof this year as its main attraction is a 15ft high log flume ride.

The 130ft-long Jungle River has been moved into place at the Arboretum in preparation for the annual lights show which gets under way on Friday. It has taken 10 staff a total of three days to move the 150 tonne structure, the largest in the UK, into position with a special 100 tonne crane imported from Austria to help assemble the ride.

Thousands of visitors are expected to brave the cold weather to have a go on the water ride, and among them is the council’s leisure chief, Councillor Louise Harrison.

She said: “It’s certainly an impressive structure and I’m really looking forward to going on it myself. We’re always looking for new things to make the event even more exciting and this is going to be a real hit with the public I’m sure.”

The ride can be enjoyed by children who are more than one metre tall, although they need to be accompanied by an adult. 

Other new features this year include the Gandini jugglers and a 320ft wall of light designed by Walsall artist Chu, alias Wayne Edwards.

Children’s TV stars Dora the Explorer plus Wallace and Gromit’s pal Shaun the Sheep will also be making appearances during the six week run.

Advance tickets priced £5 and £3.50 for children are available from the box office on 0845 111 2909 or from tickets outlets listed on the website www.walsall-lights.com.

This year’s Walsall Illuminations run until December 2. The event has previously finished in the October half term but has been pushed back this year in a bid to boost flagging visitor numbers.